What is AuDHD? Understanding the Overlap of Autism & ADHD
"I never trust a narcissist, but they love me…" – Taylor Swift, Look What You Made Me Do.
Okay, maybe narcissists aren’t the focus here, but the trust issue? That hits home for a lot of late-diagnosed AuDHD adults. We grow up being told to trust that the way we think, feel, and behave is "wrong" because it doesn’t fit neatly into societal expectations. And then one day, we stumble across a term—AuDHD—and suddenly, everything clicks.
Why Is AuDHD So Misunderstood?
Autism and ADHD were long considered separate conditions, existing in their own little diagnostic bubbles. Clinicians used to believe you could be either autistic or have ADHD—but never both. If that were true, millions of people (including you, perhaps) wouldn’t have spent decades feeling like a glitch in the matrix, misdiagnosed (or undiagnosed entirely) because no one knew how to recognize the overlap.
But science has caught up. Researchers now understand that autism and ADHD frequently co-occur and that the way these traits interact can make diagnosis tricky. AuDHD isn’t just "autism plus ADHD"—it’s a unique neurotype with its own patterns of strengths, struggles, and adaptations.
What is AuDHD?
AuDHD refers to people who meet diagnostic criteria for both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While these conditions were historically seen as opposites—autism being associated with rigid thinking and hyperfocus, and ADHD being linked to impulsivity and distractibility—the reality is more nuanced. In fact, they share a lot of underlying neurological features.
Common AuDHD traits include:
🔥 Sensory Sensitivities & Seeking Behaviors – Lights too bright? Tags in shirts feel like knives? But also needing the crunch of ice or blasting music on loop? That’s the AuDHD paradox.
🌀 Chaotic Focus – One minute, you’re hyperfocused on a special interest, and the next, you’re forgetting what you were saying mid-sentence. It’s like your brain is a DJ constantly switching tracks.
💬 Social Confusion & Overcompensation – You miss subtext but overanalyze every interaction like it’s a courtroom drama. Did they mean what they said, or was that sarcasm? (Probably sarcasm. But how are you supposed to know?!)
⏳ Time Blindness & Routine Dependency – You need structure, but you also rebel against it. You crave predictability, but routines can feel suffocating. Who designed this operating system?
How Autism & ADHD Traits Overlap
Some traits show up in both conditions but express themselves differently depending on the context:
Executive Dysfunction: Autistic folks may struggle with initiation and need clear structure; ADHDers often forget tasks or switch rapidly between them.
Social Interaction: Autism may involve difficulty reading cues or a preference for direct communication. ADHD can come across as impulsivity, talking over others, or missing subtleties due to distractibility.
Sensory Processing: Autism is often associated with hypersensitivities (lights, sounds, textures). ADHD may involve sensory seeking—always tapping, touching, or moving.
Focus & Attention: Autism can involve deep, sustained focus on interests. ADHD swings between distractibility and hyperfocus—but often on unrelated or shifting topics.
Emotional Regulation: Autism may lead to shutdowns or meltdowns due to overwhelm. ADHD often includes RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) and big, fast emotional swings.
Common Misconceptions About AuDHD
❌ "You can’t have both! Autism means being rigid and ADHD means being chaotic."
✅ False. AuDHD brains can be both structured and chaotic. Routine-loving but also impulsive? Check.
❌ "If you made it to adulthood without diagnosis, you’re probably fine."
✅ Nope. Many AuDHD adults mask their traits, learning to perform neurotypicality. This takes an exhausting mental toll and can lead to burnout.
❌ "Autistic people don’t have ADHD because they don’t seek stimulation."
✅ Some autistic people do seek stimulation! Many love sensory input (repetitive sounds, deep pressure, movement) just as much as they avoid certain types (bright lights, itchy fabrics).
Why Recognizing AuDHD Matters
If you’ve spent your life wondering why traditional strategies for "just focusing" or "just calming down" never worked for you, AuDHD might be the missing piece. Understanding how these traits interact can help you unmask, advocate for accommodations, and design a life that actually works for your brain.
Or, as Taylor Swift puts it: "I once believed love would be burning red, but it’s golden, like daylight." Maybe that’s what self-recognition feels like—less like fiery frustration, and more like finally seeing yourself clearly.